Australian sensation Oscar Piastri may have missed out on the 2025 drivers’ championship, yet he emerged as one of the season’s biggest financial winners. Forbes unveiled its annual F1 earnings list, highlighting the staggering incomes amassed across the grid — revealing just how lucrative Piastri’s standout campaign truly was. Despite the fierce competition, the young McLaren driver secured a monumental payday that solidified his rising status in the sport.
Max Verstappen unsurprisingly dominated the rankings, topping the list with an astonishing $114 million after another commanding year with Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton followed closely with $106 million, even though his debut season with Ferrari delivered no podium finishes. In contrast, teammate Charles Leclerc, despite scoring seven podiums and ranking fifth overall, earned no bonuses and sat far below Hamilton in total compensation.
Lando Norris — newly crowned world champion — claimed more than $86 million, bolstered by an extraordinary $60 million in bonuses. Just behind him was Oscar Piastri, whose breakout season transformed his earnings. Piastri’s performance yielded a remarkable $56 million haul, combining a $15 million salary with an impressive $41 million in bonuses — a dramatic leap from his payout the previous year.
Forbes clarified that their calculations excluded endorsements and off-track income, focusing instead on salaries and bonuses tied to race results, points scored, and championship success. These bonuses vary significantly depending on team resources, contract structure, and driver experience, factors that heavily influenced this year’s standings.
The final list showcased the sport’s elite earners, with Verstappen, Hamilton, Norris, and Piastri forming the top tier. Behind them followed Leclerc, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Sainz, and rookie Kimi Antonelli — each reflecting the financial disparity and competitive hierarchy shaping modern Formula One.
About the Author
